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President's Weekend Trip

Sometimes you just have to get away and this trip was definitely a breath of fresh air. Our district built in a snow day, so we had Friday off, and we headed to Portland. A group of our friends, Steve and Nikki, Jay, and our little family, rented a vacation home in south Portland and enjoyed a few days of bliss. For those who live in the Portland area, our time didn't allow for lots of visiting, so we apologize if we didn't meet up! We want to get down there again soon, to see the flowers in bloom and enjoy some nicer weather.

We enjoyed the Oregon Zoo on Saturday with Miss Madelynne, who went bonkers for all of the animals she saw. She threw a few minor trantrums and one where she ended up pouting because she didn't get her way and had to go back into her stroller. This caused her to ignore us and pretend like she was having a horrible time, but she still perked up with excitement when she saw animals. It was pretty funny to see her be moody...can only imagine what she will be like as she gets older.

Jay Riding a Goat

Bear in a Cave


Polar Bear

Dedication/Donation Wall

"Frisky" Giraffe's (so many bad jokes we made about these guys...)

When she was pouting

"Whoa!"-Her catch phrase

Favorites.

Fish

Giving the sheep a hug

Playing around during a break in rain

Our gang

Cheetah's

Sea Lions

Big Cats

 Only downfall was getting rained on at the Zoo, but we enjoyed it anyhow. We ventured back to the house for some downtime and then headed to a shopping center to browse and enjoy dinner. Although this pic isn't from that night eating, it reflects Jay's "teacher" side by coloring and keeping Madelynne entertained. He did the same with my nephew, which rocked. :)
Coloring with Jay


Sunday we did a downtown tour and learned more about the history of Portland. We also ventured to a few infamous brewery's, like Rogue, and did some more shopping like Powell's.

Yes, it tasted good. Chocolate stout is great, too!

Even she had fun at the pub

Statue of Liberty in the architecture



Still haven't gotten this yet

Tunnels under Portland 

Japanese Memorial on the riverfront

Saying cheese!

The tunnels underneath Old Town Pizza


Outside Pub

Long day shopping

Steve




Jay reading one of his new books from Powell's

Tuckered out

Most photographed sign in Portland, lol


We ended our journey on Monday, heading to Astoria and doing a little window shopping and browsing, enjoying lunch, and then venturing home. It was a wonderful, much needed break!


Family

On the porch swing at the rental

She loves this hat

The Columbia River


Leaving Portland

Columbia River

Portland

River





Problem solving 101: How do I get all of the pine cones in my hand?

Low tide in the middle of the Columbia River


Cool Mural in Aberdeen











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